Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 2: Test procedures

This document lays down requirements for the design qualification of terrestrial photovoltaic
modules suitable for long-term operation in open-air climates. The useful service life of modules
so qualified will depend on their design, their environment and the conditions under which they
are operated. Test results are not construed as a quantitative prediction of module lifetime.
In climates where 98th percentile operating temperatures exceed 70 °C, users are
recommended to consider testing to higher temperature test conditions as described in
IEC TS 631261. Users desiring qualification of PV products with lesser lifetime expectations are
recommended to consider testing designed for PV in consumer electronics, as described in
IEC TS 63163 (under development). Users wishing to gain confidence that the characteristics
tested in IEC 61215 appear consistently in a manufactured product may wish to utilize
IEC 62941 regarding quality systems in PV manufacturing.
This document is intended to apply to all terrestrial flat plate module materials such as
crystalline silicon module types as well as thin-film modules.
This document does not apply to modules used with concentrated sunlight although it may be
utilized for low concentrator modules (1 to 3 suns). For low concentration modules, all tests are
performed using the irradiance, current, voltage and power levels expected at the design
concentration.
The objective of this test sequence is to determine the electrical characteristics of the module
and to show, as far as possible within reasonable constraints of cost and time, that the module
is capable of withstanding prolonged exposure outdoors. Accelerated test conditions are
empirically based on those necessary to reproduce selected observed field failures and are
applied equally across module types. Acceleration factors may vary with product design and
thus not all degradation mechanisms may manifest. Further general information on accelerated
test methods including definitions of terms may be found in IEC 62506.
Some long-term degradation mechanisms can only reasonably be detected via component
testing, due to long times required to produce the failure and necessity of stress conditions that
are expensive to produce over large areas. Component tests that have reached a sufficient
level of maturity to set pass/fail criteria with high confidence are incorporated into the IEC 61215
series via addition to Table 1 in IEC 61215-1:2021. In contrast, the tests procedures described
in this series, in IEC 61215-2, are performed on modules.

Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und Bauartzulassung - Teil 2: Prüfverfahren

Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 2: Procédures d'essai

IEC 61215-2:2021 est disponible sous forme de IEC 61215-2:2021 RLV qui contient la Norme internationale et sa version Redline, illustrant les modifications du contenu technique depuis l'édition précédente.

L'IEC 61215-2:2021 établit les exigences concernant la qualification de conception des modules photovoltaïques terrestres appropriés à un fonctionnement de longue durée dans des climats à l’air libre. Le présent document est destiné à s'appliquer à tous les matériaux de modules à plaque plane pour applications terrestres, tels que les types de modules au silicium cristallin et les modules à couches minces. L'objet de cette séquence d'essais est de déterminer les caractéristiques électriques du module et d’indiquer, dans la mesure du possible avec des contraintes de coût et de temps raisonnables, que le module est capable de supporter une exposition prolongée en site naturel. Cette deuxième édition de l’IEC 61215-2 annule et remplace la première édition de l’IEC 61215‑2 parue en 2016. Cette édition inclut les modifications techniques majeures suivantes par rapport à l'édition précédente.
a. Ajout de l’essai de charge mécanique cyclique (dynamique) (MQT 20 - Module Quality Test, essai de qualité du module).
b. Ajout d’un essai de détection de la dégradation induite par le potentiel (MQT 21).
c. Ajout de méthodes d’essai exigées pour les modules PV bifaces.
d. Ajout de méthodes d’essai exigées pour les modules flexibles. Cette disposition inclut l’ajout de l’essai de flexion (MQT 22).
e. Révision des exigences du simulateur pour assurer à la fois la définition appropriée et la réduction le plus possible de l’incertitude.
f. Correction de l’essai de tenue à l’échauffement localisé, dont la procédure pour les technologies à couches minces à intégration monolithique (MLI - monolithic integration) (MQT 09.2) comprenait précédemment deux sections décrivant une méthode uniquement adaptée aux modules en silicium.
g. Choix de trois diodes, plutôt que de toutes les diodes d’essai, pour l’essai thermique de la diode de dérivation (MQT 18).
h. Suppression de l’essai nominal de fonctionnement du module (NMOT - nominal module operating test), et de l’essai associé de performances à la température nominale de fonctionnement du module (NMOT - nominal module operating temperature), issus de la série IEC 61215.

Prizemni fotonapetostni (PV) moduli - Ocena zasnove in odobritev tipa - 2. del: Preskusni postopki

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
09-May-2021
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
05-May-2021
Due Date
10-Jul-2021
Completion Date
10-May-2021

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
01-junij-2021
Nadomešča:
SIST EN 61215-2:2017
SIST EN 61215-2:2017/AC:2017
SIST EN 61215-2:2017/AC:2018
Prizemni fotonapetostni (PV) moduli - Ocena zasnove in odobritev tipa - 2. del:
Preskusni postopki
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval - Part 2:
Test procedures
Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und Bauartzulassung - Teil 2:
Prüfverfahren
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Qualification de la
conception et homologation - Partie 2: Procédures d'essai
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN IEC 61215-2:2021
ICS:
27.160 Sončna energija Solar energy engineering
SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021


EUROPEAN STANDARD EN IEC 61215-2

NORME EUROPÉENNE

EUROPÄISCHE NORM
April 2021
ICS 27.160 Supersedes EN 61215-2:2017 and all of its amendments
and corrigenda (if any)
English Version
Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and
type approval - Part 2: Test procedures
(IEC 61215-2:2021)
Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres - Terrestrische Photovoltaik(PV)-Module - Bauarteignung und
Qualification de la conception et homologation - Partie 2: Bauartzulassung - Teil 2: Prüfverfahren
Procédures d'essai (IEC 61215-2:2021)
(IEC 61215-2:2021)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2021-03-31. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC
Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.
Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the
same status as the official versions.
CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
Turkey and the United Kingdom.


European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2021 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC Members.
 Ref. No. EN IEC 61215-2:2021 E

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
EN IEC 61215-2:2021 (E)
European foreword
The text of document 82/1829/FDIS, future edition 2 of IEC 61215-2, prepared by IEC/TC 82 "Solar
photovoltaic energy systems" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by
CENELEC as EN IEC 61215-2:2021.
The following dates are fixed:
• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at national (dop) 2021-12-31
level by publication of an identical national standard or by endorsement
• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2024-03-31
document have to be withdrawn
This document supersedes EN 61215-2:2017 and all of its amendments and corrigenda (if any).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61215-2:2021 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following notes have to be added for the standards
indicated:
IEC 62506 NOTE Harmonized as EN 62506
IEC 62938:2020 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62938:2020 (not modified)
IEC 62941 NOTE Harmonized as EN IEC 62941
2

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
EN IEC 61215-2:2021 (E)
Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments)
applies.
NOTE 1 Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the
relevant EN/HD applies.
NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is available
here: www.cenelec.eu.
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60068-1 - Environmental testing - Part 1: General EN 60068-1 -
and guidance
IEC 60068-2-21 - Environmental testing - Part 2-21: Tests - EN 60068-2-21 -
Test U: Robustness of terminations and
integral mounting devices
IEC 60068-2-78 2012 Environmental testing - Part 2-78: Tests - EN 60068-2-78 2013
Test Cab: Damp heat, steady state
IEC 60891 - Photovoltaic devices - Procedures for EN 60891 -
temperature and irradiance corrections to
measured I-V characteristics
IEC 60904-1 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 1: EN IEC 60904-1 -
Measurement of photovoltaic current-
voltage characteristics
IEC 60904-1-1 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 1-1: EN 60904-1-1 -
Measurement of current-voltage
characteristics of multi-junction
photovoltaic (PV) devices
IEC/TS 60904-1-2 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 1-2: - -
Measurement of current-voltage
characteristics of bifacial photovoltaic (PV)
devices
IEC 60904-2 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 2: EN 60904-2 -
Requirements for photovoltaic reference
devices
IEC 60904-3 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 3: EN IEC 60904-3 -
Measurement principles for terrestrial
photovoltaic (PV) solar devices with
reference spectral irradiance data
IEC 60904-7 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 7: Computation EN IEC 60904-7 -
of the spectral mismatch correction for
measurements of photovoltaic devices
3

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
EN IEC 61215-2:2021 (E)
Publication Year Title EN/HD Year
IEC 60904-8 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 8: EN 60904-8 -
Measurement of spectral responsivity of a
photovoltaic (PV) device
IEC 60904-9 2020 Photovoltaic devices - Part 9: Classification EN IEC 60904-9 2020
of solar simulator characteristics
IEC 60904-10 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 10: Methods of EN IEC 60904-10 -
linear dependence and linearity
measurements
IEC/TR 60904-14 - Photovoltaic devices - Part 14: Guidelines - -
for production line measurements of single-
junction PV module maximum power
output and reporting at standard test
conditions
IEC 61140 - Protection against electric shock - EN 61140 -
Common aspects for installation and
equipment
IEC 61215-1 2021 Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - EN IEC 61215-1 2021
Design qualification and type approval -
Part 1: Test requirements
IEC 61215-1-1 - Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - EN IEC 61215-1-1 -
Design qualification and type approval -
Part 1-1: Special requirements for testing
of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV)
modules
IEC 61730-1 2016 Photovoltaic (PV) module safety EN IEC 61730-1 2018
qualification - Part 1: Requirements for
construction
- -  /AC:2018-06
IEC 61730-2 - Photovoltaic (PV) module safety EN IEC 61730-2 -
qualification - Part 2: Requirements for
testing
IEC/TS 61836 - Solar photovoltaic energy systems - - -
Terms, definitions and symbols
IEC/TS 62782 - Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Cyclic - -
(dynamic) mechanical load testing
IEC 62790 - Junction boxes for photovoltaic modules - EN 62790 -
Safety requirements and tests
IEC/TS 62804-1 2015 Photovoltaic (PV) modules - Test methods - -
for the detection of potential-induced
degradation - Part 1: Crystalline silicon
1
IEC TS 63163 — Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules for
consumer products – Design qualification
and type approval


1
Under preparation. Stage at the time of publication: ADTS.
4

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021




IEC 61215-2

®


Edition 2.0 2021-02




INTERNATIONAL



STANDARD




NORME


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inside










Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules – Design qualification and type approval –

Part 2: Test procedures



Modules photovoltaïques (PV) pour applications terrestres – Qualification de la

conception et homologation –

Partie 2: Procédures d'essai















INTERNATIONAL

ELECTROTECHNICAL

COMMISSION


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ELECTROTECHNIQUE


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ICS 27.160 ISBN 978-2-8322-9394-2




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Attention! Veuillez vous assurer que vous avez obtenu cette publication via un distributeur agréé.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
– 2 – IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 6
INTRODUCTION . 8
1 Scope . 9
2 Normative references . 9
3 Terms and definitions . 11
4 Test procedures . 12
4.1 Visual inspection (MQT 01) . 12
4.1.1 Purpose . 12
4.1.2 Procedure . 12
4.1.3 Requirements . 12
4.2 Maximum power determination (MQT 02) . 12
4.2.1 Purpose . 12
4.2.2 Apparatus . 12
4.2.3 Procedure . 13
4.3 Insulation test (MQT 03) . 13
4.3.1 Purpose . 13
4.3.2 Apparatus . 14
4.3.3 Test conditions . 14
4.3.4 Procedure . 14
4.3.5 Test requirements . 15
4.4 Measurement of temperature coefficients (MQT 04) . 15
4.5 Placeholder section, formerly NMOT . 15
4.6 Performance at STC (MQT 06.1) . 15
4.6.1 Purpose . 15
4.6.2 Apparatus . 15
4.6.3 Procedure for measuring at STC (MQT 06.1) . 16
4.7 Performance at low irradiance (MQT 07) . 16
4.7.1 Purpose . 16
4.7.2 Apparatus . 16
4.7.3 Procedure . 17
4.8 Outdoor exposure test (MQT 08) . 17
4.8.1 Purpose . 17
4.8.2 Apparatus . 17
4.8.3 Procedure . 17
4.8.4 Final measurements . 18
4.8.5 Requirements . 18
4.9 Hot-spot endurance test (MQT 09) . 18
4.9.1 Purpose . 18
4.9.2 Hot-spot effect . 18
4.9.3 Classification of cell interconnection . 19
4.9.4 Apparatus . 20
4.9.5 Procedure . 21
4.9.6 Final measurements . 28
4.9.7 Requirements . 28
4.10 UV preconditioning test (MQT 10) . 28
4.10.1 Purpose . 28

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021 – 3 –
4.10.2 Apparatus . 28
4.10.3 Procedure . 29
4.10.4 Final measurements . 29
4.10.5 Requirements . 29
4.11 Thermal cycling test (MQT 11) . 29
4.11.1 Purpose . 29
4.11.2 Apparatus . 29
4.11.3 Procedure . 30
4.11.4 Final measurements . 31
4.11.5 Requirements . 31
4.12 Humidity-freeze test (MQT 12) . 32
4.12.1 Purpose . 32
4.12.2 Apparatus . 32
4.12.3 Procedure . 32
4.12.4 Final measurements . 32
4.12.5 Requirements . 32
4.13 Damp heat test (MQT 13) . 33
4.13.1 Purpose . 33
4.13.2 Apparatus . 33
4.13.3 Procedure . 33
4.13.4 Final measurements . 34
4.13.5 Requirements . 34
4.14 Robustness of terminations (MQT 14) . 34
4.14.1 Purpose . 34
4.14.2 Retention of junction box on mounting surface (MQT 14.1) . 34
4.14.3 Test of cord anchorage (MQT 14.2) . 34
4.15 Wet leakage current test (MQT 15) . 35
4.15.1 Purpose . 35
4.15.2 Apparatus . 35
4.15.3 Procedure . 35
4.15.4 Requirements . 35
4.16 Static mechanical load test (MQT 16) . 36
4.16.1 Purpose . 36
4.16.2 Apparatus . 36
4.16.3 Procedure . 37
4.16.4 Final measurements . 37
4.16.5 Requirements . 37
4.17 Hail test (MQT 17) . 37
4.17.1 Purpose . 37
4.17.2 Apparatus . 37
4.17.3 Procedure . 38
4.17.4 Final measurements . 39
4.17.5 Requirements . 39
4.18 Bypass diode testing (MQT 18) . 40
4.18.1 Bypass diode thermal test (MQT 18.1) . 40
4.18.2 Bypass diode functionality test (MQT 18.2) . 43
4.19 Stabilization (MQT 19) . 44
4.19.1 General . 44
4.19.2 Criterion definition for stabilization . 44

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
– 4 – IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021
4.19.3 Light induced stabilization procedures . 45
4.19.4 Other stabilization procedures . 46
4.19.5 Initial stabilization (MQT 19.1) . 46
4.19.6 Final stabilization (MQT 19.2) . 46
4.19.7 Stress-specific stabilization – BO LID (MQT 19.3). 47
4.20 Cyclic (dynamic) mechanical load test (MQT 20) . 47
4.20.1 Purpose . 47
4.20.2 Procedure . 47
4.20.3 Final measurements . 47
4.20.4 Requirements . 48
4.21 Potential induced degradation test (MQT 21) . 48
4.21.1 Purpose . 48
4.21.2 Samples . 48
4.21.3 Apparatus . 48
4.21.4 Procedure . 48
4.21.5 Final measurements . 48
4.21.6 Requirements . 49
4.22 Bending test (MQT 22) . 49
4.22.1 Purpose . 49
4.22.2 Apparatus . 49
4.22.3 Procedure . 49
4.22.4 Final measurements . 49
4.22.5 Requirements . 49
Annex A (informative) Recommended setup for managing weights during mechanical
loading (MQT 16) . 50
Bibliography . 54

Figure 1 – Case S, series connection with optional bypass diode . 19
Figure 2 – Case PS, parallel-series connection with optional bypass diode . 19
Figure 3 – Case SP, series-parallel connection with optional bypass diode . 20
Figure 4 – Module I-V characteristics with different cells totally shadowed . 21
Figure 5 – Module I-V characteristics with the test cell shadowed at different levels . 23
Figure 6 – Hot-spot effect in a MLI thin-film module with serially connected cells . 24
Figure 7 – Thermal cycling test – Temperature and applied current profile . 30
Figure 8 – Proper attachment of 5 N weight to junction box for module utilizing a)
electrical termination leads, b) or wire for attachment, and c) only one junction box . 31
Figure 9 – Humidity-freeze cycle – Temperature and humidity profile . 33
Figure 10 – Hail-test equipment . 38
Figure 11 – Hail test impact locations: top for wafer/cell based technologies, bottom for

monolithic processed thin film technologies . 40
Figure 12 – Bypass diode thermal test . 42
Figure A.1 – 3D view (at left of figure), end view (at top right), and side view (at bottom
right) of gantry crane over mounting jig and loading jig . 50
Figure A.2 – 3D close up views of mounting jig (right) and loading jig (left) . 51
Figure A.3 – 2D view of mounting jig and loading jig . 52
Figure A.4 – 3D view of loading jig . 52
Figure A.5 – Close-up view of loading jig . 53

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021 – 5 –

Table 1 – Voltage stress levels . 14
Table 2 – Ice-ball masses and test velocities . 38
Table 3 – Impact locations . 39

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SIST EN IEC 61215-2:2021
– 6 – IEC 61215-2:2021 © IEC 2021
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

TERRESTRIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) MODULES –
DESIGN QUALIFICATION AND TYPE APPROVAL –

Part 2: Test procedures

FOREWORD
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